Funny, was just going to post similar to this b/c a month ago I injured me knee most likely when doing squats w/ too heavy weights .... wasn't super strenous but in the past a few times my knees have reacted after that workout (but nothing like this) plus I wasn't really stretching (idiot, I know).... felt like a bit of tearing in there so I laid off it for a while, since then different kinds of sensations incl. low-level tearing / burning / inflammation / arthritic-like feeling?  Don't know if it's muscle or joint or what.
It's not really painful but it's clear that outside of walking, doing anything on it will make it worse. -- the few times I tried confirmed this  But what's aggravating/obstructing my healing is daily life movement plus I have so many stairs in my place + in/out the building it can't get a rest.  Not being able to work out for a month is tough on me, esp as I felt exercising made my health stronger in dealing w/ IC nevermind well-being.
What have people done for this type of thing?  Is there any treatment like physical therapy that's helped anyone?  I realize of course we can't take meds or conventional methods not that I'd want to anyway.  And thank you!!

Interesting that this has come up. A while back, I had posted on tendon/ligament pull in my right leg. Well, it is still a little inflammed and seems like its taking forever to heal. I have also been feeling arthritic-like pain in my left foot mucle, in my neck and in my right wrist. I went to Matia to get accupuncture to relieve the pain, it helped considerably and I was instantly relieved, although the effect wears down in some time and its back to square one. I was scared I had started developing Arthritis or MS or something. Matia did assure me over and over that it is definitely related to IC and the process that we are going through; and that it is temporary and will get better with time. It could be that with the intense cleansing herbs, our muscles become weak (for me, my bladder always did better on more cleansing than soothing herbs, so the whole cleansing has been really hard on my body). Its about 14 months now and I have read in some past posts that the muscle issues come up later in treatment (I guess more at the phase that I am at). So, the pull that I had would not have happened if my mucles, tendons and ligaments were strong; and not strained and weak as they are now. It could also be partly because the yeast that was trapped in the mucles is now coming out and causing upheavel.
I do want to share that Matia has advised me to give it complete rest (since its my right foot, I have not been able to drive for over 2 weeks now and have been barely walking). I have been doing the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) and it has helped immensely. She has focused on introducing vitamin D and increasing the dosage but it takes several weeks, even months of high dosage for it to build up in the body. I was too scared my bladder would react bad but it was ok although the dosage I am on is still low. I personally now believe that vitamin D and omegas are the ones that would help me to heal.
For those of us who cannot take vitamin D orally yet, try to go in the sun without sunscreen (maximum body exposure for atleast 15 minutes a day and for darker skin types, its even close to 45 minutes). I have read many research studies that have found a direct link between Vitamin D and Arthritis, MS and even depression. Some doctors now use only vitamin D to elevate depressive symptoms and muscle pains with great success. I believe in this line of thinking. I get as much sun exposure as I can  and it has really helped me in building my vitamin D reserves quickly. I can now see (although very gradually) the effect on my muscles and general mood (depression) too.
For me, after many days of rest and sun exposure and the oral Ds, all my muscles are much much better and the pain is like a 2/10 now (minimal). Matia has also advised me to not rush into physiotherapy. I think its mainly to not get other things inflammed. Since we do not take painkillers, it makes it more difficult for us. For me, she wants me to avoid further strain so that I can get back to driving soon and am able to travel for work (I have been working from home the past few days).  I keep reminding myself of her words - that this is related to the process, it is temporary and that it will definitely get better. So for now, I have decided to just endure - the key here again being TIME, I just need to give it the time it needs (more time than most others would need). So yes Lisa and Vicky, I am not at all surprised that the muscle pulls and stretches take longer to heal. Are either of you taking or ready for vitamin D? I had to wait for a very long time to introduce it.
 
 

I am only 6 months in, and the past few weeks..I have  had terrible muscle and joint aches, (My knees, feet, wrists, and even my breastbone).  In the past I had this a little every now and then, but it has increased considerably over the past few weeks.  I was going to bring it up my next appointment because I am concerned I have arthritis.  Before treatment, and for a while my feet hurt badly every morning when I wake up. It used to get better with walking.  Now, I have it all day.  I tried wheat for the first time a few days ago, and all my muscle and joints aches went up considerably the next day. Its finally nice enough outside to go for walks, and I find my knees hurt just walking a short distance.  Also get a dull ache at the joint. 

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond so fully... Does everything you say still apply if the muscle/joint strain was caused by exercise, as opposed to just one day coming on b/c of treatment weakening things?   B/c mine clearly happened after I did an exercise that unduly strained my knee.  So part of me wonders if this treatment has much to do with it, and I don't want to wait around for months and not treat it if there's a real muscle/joint issue that needs to be addressed, or even just rested.  This type of thing makes me esp. nervous b/c I don't want to worsen things to where I'd need surgery.

Really glad I checked things out further and went to a specialist... saw a physical therapist and I have knee tendonitis... which has now gone on for over a month essentially untreated... Matia had said to put heat on it which didn't seem to help, but the PT said you must ice, esp when it first happens, and ice repeatedly, along w/ certain stretches to get blood circulating since I can't even exercise at all.  He also wanted to do a electrical stimulation thing and laser light therapy to help stimulate healing and help w/ the inflammation but of course Matia said she's very concerned about them so I won't do them.  I'm sure whatever inflammation's in my body overall from illness & cleansing doesn't help matters either.  I'm concerned this will take forever to heal b/c I have so many stairs in my place and I'm already minimizing my trips but there's only so much I can do.  But at least I know what I'm dealing with. 

So, a couple days of trying the PT's suggestions and I am worse off.... the ice definitely did not seem to help, actually felt worse after each time, felt constricting... so I decided to see Boaz (he treats sports injuries) and he had a very different take.  He says it's not tendonitis (which is just inflammation anyway, and wouldn't be a cause/diagnosis but only a symptom, the body's response to whatever's going on)... he thinks my explanation is more consistent w/ a strain, which seems right to me too.  He said unless it's 24-48 hours after the injury (which it's not, it's been a month now), ice is not going to help, it will actually constrict, which is exactly what I'm feeling.  He said it needs circulation to help heal.  He says acupuncture several times a week will help fix it, plus a special linament that brings heat into the area if ok'd by Matia for my bladder.  He said light massage on the area to increase blood flow too.  I am going to ask him about the compression next time -- a compression brace did seem to help when I used it. Will keep everyone updated in case they have similar situations and this is of help.  Also appreciate your guidance, Hami.  Sorry to hear what you're dealing with!  Interested to hear how your healing goes too.